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4-Hers gather at NMSU to 'make the best better' at state conference

By Isabel A. Rodriguez / idarling@nmsu.edu

Posted:
07/01/2013 03:08:15 PM MDT

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Grant County 4-H member Jessica Cosby makes a floral wreath at a workshop during the 2005 State 4-H Conference at New Mexico State University. This year's event is July 8-11 and will include contests, workshops and two guest speakers.

LAS CRUCES - True to the organization's motto of "making the best better," approximately 370 people are expected to attend this year's State 4-H Conference July 8-11 at New Mexico State University.

The conference will feature a variety of events including contests, sessions and workshops including horse judging, a food challenge and guest speakers.
Several thousands of dollars in scholarship funds will be awarded to high school and college students at the conference.

"The youth participating in this event have the chance to display skills mastered through preparing for contests, but also get to participate in new things," said Amy Zemler, 4-H youth activities specialist. "The workshops offer this opportunity through hands-on activities an challenges to identify personal skills."

Among the scheduled events is "Ride for the Brand," a workshop that examines what it means to be a 4-Her.

"'Ride for the Brand' incorporates loyalty, trust, honor, fairness and optimism," said Connie Cecil, state staff adult advisor for the Colorado State 4-H officer team. "Participants in this workshop will gain a deeper understanding of these core principles and why they're important. 4-Hers will build a community that will work together to build a sense of trust, care and support they can take back to their clubs."

Another workshop will engage participants in hands-on engineering and teach them about robotics, designing and programming.

"A Well Rounded Hero," will teach youth the qualities of leaders and how to develop such qualities.

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This year's guest speakers are actor/comedian John Morello and Barbara Chamberlin, director of NMSU's Learning Games Lab.

Both speakers were selected by the leadership team because of their influence in previous events attended by team members. They wanted to share those experiences with the 4-H audience, Zemler said.

"'Find the Superhero Within You' is the theme at State Conference this year," she added. "Youth will become the superheroes of 4-H by participating in contests, workshops on leadership and personal development and evening business sections."

Former 4-Her and NMSU student Joli O'Byrne said she "bled green and white" since she was a young Cloverbud (a 4-H member between the ages of 5 and 9). She now works in the State 4-H office while she earns her degree.

"I learned rifle safety, chicken production, baking, gardening, arts and crafts and leadership," she said. "Students that go through the program will take away skills, friendship and memories that will last a lifetime."

For more information about the upcoming conference, visit http://aces.nmsu.edu/4h/conference.html#anchor_33119.

Isabel A. Rodriguez writes for NMSU Communications and can be reached at 575-646-7565.